Walking Wednesdays at the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse

Curious about what's inside the large Gothic structure sitting in the middle of the Crescent Hill Reservoir? Now is your chance to take a peek inside with the return of Walking Wednesdays! Join us the second Wednesday of the month from May - September, beginning May 10, and wander through history. Doors open from 11 - 1 and 5 - 7. Louisville Water staff will be on hand from to answer questions and offer insights into our history.

What Can You Learn About the Crescent Hill Gatehouse?

A remodel of the inside and outside was completed in 2014. The building’s slate roof was completely replaced and the 3,000 tiles in the terra cotta ceiling were cleaned and restored. The gatehouse is believed to be one of the only buildings in this part of the United States with a slate roof on the exterior and terra cotta on the interior. The terra cotta is light-weight and in the late 1800s was a good material due to its fire resistance. In addition, crews cleaned and repaired the limestone steps leading up to the gatehouse and reservoir.

Part of the interior work included removing a ceiling that was added in the 1940s. Visitors now have a clear view of entire the structure. Twin wrought iron circular stairways have been restored and the original valves are still present.

Designed by Chief Engineer Charles Hermany, the reservoir and gatehouse provided Louisville a 10-day supply of water when it opened in 1879. The gatehouse is still an integral part of operations, containing valves that control the flow of water in the reservoir and to additional treatment in the basins across Reservoir Avenue. The 110 million gallons of water in the reservoir is almost the amount Louisville Water produces daily.

The three-story Gothic structure was designed to resemble a castle Hermany saw along the Rhine River in Germany.

The path around the reservoir is nearly one mile. The walking path is open, weather permitting, every day from dawn to dusk.